PREMIERSHIP champions Poole have opened their team building with the signing of Nico Covatti (pictured).

The 30-year-old from Argentina raced for Somerset and Ipswich this year but now moves to Wimborne Road, where he will start in a reserve berth.Promoter Matt Ford said: “Nico rode against us last season on several occasions and was a real thorn in our side, and with Somerset not competing in the Premiership next year, he was available. “We were ahead of the game on Nico as I had sounded him out about coming to Poole and I am pleased to say he was keen and it was a simple deal to do. “Coming in on a 4.70 average also makes him very attractive from a team-building perspective. He’ll start the season at reserve but it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he was pushing for a higher berth.”